As a result of the declining purchasing power of the Philippine peso and due to the rising cost of consumer products and services, the Commission on Audit (COA) recently released COA Circular No. 2017-001 stating that official receipts are no longer needed as supporting documents for expenses amounting to P300 or less that are incurred by government officials and employees while in the performance of their official functions.

The new Circular aims to simplify the reimbursement of expenses that do not require official receipts. However, government officials and employees are still required to submit a certification for expenses P300 or less as supporting document in order for the reimbursement to be processed.

On the other hand, for payment of fares in public utility vehicles (PUVs) issuing receipts such as bus, train, vessel/ship; and purchases in business establishments issuing receipts, official receipts are still needed to facilitate the reimbursement of expenses even if the amount is P300 or less.

The new Circular was signed by the Commission Proper on 19 June 2017 and will take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The Circular was published in the Philippine Star and BusinessWorld on 28 June 2017. - By Dennis Cariño